Compost and digestates benefits and uses
| | Compost field research updateAHDB Cereals and Oilseeds have published an update on their research on soil organic matter. The results so far show that compost is the leading soil improver. |
| | WRAP video on digestate and understanding nitrogenWRAP have released another video, Digestate and understanding nitrogen, focuses on the best times and techniques for applying digestate, and to look at what happens to the nitrogen in digestate if it’s applied less well. |
| | What to do with pumpkin waste this halloweenA reminder that if a pumpkin has been taken into a domestic dwelling, or into a canteen, it would legally be Cat 3 meat excluded catering waste if consigned to a composting or AD plant. |
| | Annual organics survey for Scotland - coming soonThe annual survey of the organics industry will once again take place this year for Scottish facilities. All operators (farm, industrial and merchant) of AD, composting and MBT facilities in Scotland will be contacted in the next few weeks to conduct the new survey, commissioned by Zero Waste Scotland, which will cover the 2014 calendar year. |
| | Power of compost - Video competitionZero Waste Europe are running a video competition - 'Power of compost' and inviting people to submit a video or animation showing off your composting project, explaining why composting is so great, or highlighting a creative solution. |
| | Equal field trial reportsThe EQual project has published some technical reports from the field trials that were carried out as part of the project. This included two field trials on agricultural use (poultry litter ash and paper sludge) |
| | WRAP report on lab proficiency schemeWRAP have published a report on a project that looked at developing a framework for a laboratory proficiency scheme that could be implemented by the UK certification schemes to ensure that laboratory performance is consistent and adequate across the range of tests required for compost and digestates. |
| | REA engaging with GovernmentREA have recently written to and met with Rory Stewart MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to raise our key asks for organics recycling and AD. We have had an encouraging response from him. You can get involved too by writing to your MP. |
| | The latest gate fees trends revealed by WRAPWRAP’s Gate Fees Report: comparing the cost of alternative waste treatment options (2014/15) shows that fees remain relatively constant for most waste treatment and disposal options, with gate fees at Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and Energy from Waste facilities (EfW) differing the most from the previous annual assessment. |
| | Smart Soil ConferenceConference - SmartSOIL: Sustainable soil management aimed at reducing threats to soils under climate change" on 30 September 2015 in Halles des Tanneurs, Brussels. The conference will conclude the 4-year research project funded by the 7th Framework Programme.
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| | Climate change report - action neededThe report by the Committee on Climate Change details actions needed to reduce emissions and prepare for climate change. These include the need to preserve soil fertility and organic matter in agricultural soils. |
| | Overview of Biowaste regulatory forum meeting June 2015The REA meet on a quarterly basis with the Environment Agency, Defra and other stakeholders to discuss issues relevant to the biowaste industry. The June 2015 meeting covered sampling methodology for ABP pathogens, feedback on the landspreading consultation and results from the Health and Safety survey the EA carried out on AD sites. |
| | Compost stability test evaluation paper publishedA paper has been published on some work that was carried out to evaluate compost (and related industry) stability tests. Five stability tests were evaluated on composts from ten in-vessel composting sites. |
| | REA calls for improved quality of garden wasteThere continues to be unacceptable levels of plastic contamination found in green and garden waste delivered to composting sites throughout the UK.
The REA has emphasized the need for good quality compost and called for improved education of householders to help achieve this. |
| | Compost Awareness Week 20153-10th May 2015: International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry. This years theme is: Be loyal to your soil - Compost! |